Cantaloupes have been linked to multiple foodborne illness outbreaks over the past two decades. This month, we take a deep dive into the risks of contamination in fresh cantaloupe and explore how the Agricultural Water Assessment can help growers identify and mitigate water-related risks in cantaloupe production.
MIOFPS February Spotlight is on Cantaloupes
Last month the MIOFPS team was reviewing how we deliver these “spotlight topics” to you, the growers. One person even suggested that the medium didn’t matter—he’d take the message delivered in haiku form if it got the point across. Here’s an attempt:
Cantaloupes have scars
That water can infiltrate
Water source matters
Cantaloupe Spotlight: Understanding Risks and Agricultural Water Use
Cantaloupes have been at the center of multiple foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States over the past two decades. The 2011 Listeria monocytogenes outbreak at Jensen Farms in Colorado resulted in 147 illnesses and 33 deaths, highlighting how small changes in post-harvest handling—such as removing sanitizer from wash water—can have major consequences. More recently, a Salmonella outbreak in late 2023 and early 2024 led to over 400 reported illnesses across 44 states, with 44% of affected individuals requiring hospitalization. These are just two examples of the many cantaloupe-associated outbreaks in recent years, raising the question: why is this fruit so often implicated in foodborne illness cases?
Why Are Cantaloupes Considered a High-Risk Crop?
Unlike smoother melons, cantaloupes have a unique netted rind that creates a rough, scarred surface. This netting forms naturally as the melon grows and expands, resulting in small fissures where bacteria can settle. When contaminated water contacts these surfaces, pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli can infiltrate the fruit and persist through harvest, packing, and distribution.
Water plays a critical role in both the contamination and spread of foodborne pathogens. Agricultural water—whether used for irrigation, washing, or cooling—can act as a vehicle for bacteria, transferring pathogens directly onto the fruit. Given cantaloupes' unique surface and growing conditions, water quality and application methods must be carefully managed to minimize contamination risks.
Agricultural Water Assessment (AWA) Considerations for Cantaloupe
As growers conduct Agricultural Water Assessments (AWA), it is essential to consider how crop characteristics influence contamination risks. For cantaloupes, the tool helps growers evaluate:
Water application method: Drip irrigation can help limit direct water contact, reducing the potential for contamination.
Growing Characteristics: Cantaloupes grown on the ground are more susceptible to contamination from water runoff and soil microbes. Using plastic mulch or elevated supports can mitigate this risk.
Flooding vulnerability: Fields prone to flooding pose a higher contamination risk, as floodwaters can introduce pathogens from nearby animal operations or other environmental sources.
Post-harvest water use: Wash water should be treated to prevent bacterial transfer. Temperature differentials between wash water and fruit can also lead to internalization of pathogens, so careful cooling practices are critical.
Mitigation Strategies for Growers
To reduce the risk of contamination in cantaloupes and on the farm in general, growers should:
Utilize the Agricultural Water Assessment Tool. This will help identify the risks associated with your agricultural water systems that could be a source of contamination to fresh produce on your farm.
Monitor water sources and ensure compliance with FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule.
Minimize direct water contact by utilizing drip irrigation and avoiding overhead watering near harvest time.
Assess field conditions and consider methods to reduce soil contact with produce, such as plastic mulch or trellising. Run-off matters too.
Follow best practices for post-harvest handling, including proper sanitation of equipment and maintaining temperature control to prevent condensation-related contamination.
By understanding how cantaloupe characteristics interact with agricultural water, growers can take proactive steps to enhance food safety and reduce outbreak risks. For more information on conducting an Agricultural Water Assessment, visit miofps.org to connect with a Produce Safety Technician in your area for guidance.
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Article by Micah Hutchison, Produce Safety Technician